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Texas losing key defensive assistant to NFL job, per report
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Texas had one of the best defensive units in the country last year, helping the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff semifinals under Steve Sarkisian. However, the defensive staff for Texas is reportedly losing a key piece to the NFL.
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, secondary coach Terry Joseph is looking to jump to the NFL as the defensive passing game coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. He is the cousin of longtime NFL coach and assistant Vance Joseph.
Joseph spent 2018-20 with Brian Kelly during his time leading Notre Dame. He joined Sarkisian’s first staff at Texas as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, helping coach and develop Jahdae Barron who won the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award as the top DB in college football.
Joseph has made various stints at programs throughout the SEC, including as a GA for LSU and stints coaching defensive backs at Tennessee (2010-11) and Texas A&M (2014-16).
This past season, the Longhorn defense finished 3rd nationally in points allowed per game (15.3). Only national champion Ohio State and Ole Miss fared better during the 2024 season.
Texas also tied for the most interceptions in the country with 22 (BYU) and tied for 7th in fewest passing yards allowed per game with 173.8. Moving onto the NFL is certainly a big step and great opportunity for Joseph, but it leaves the Longhorns with a key vacancy to fill ahead of the 2025 season.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
